No.5 Culture Chanel - Palais de Tokyo

"I WANTED TO GIVE HER A PERFUME BUT AN ARTIFICIAL PERFUME, 

AND I DO MEAN ARTIFICIAL, LIKE A  DRESS, IN OTHER TERMS, CREATED. 

I AM A CRAFTSMAN OF FASHION DESIGN. I DON'T WANT HINTS OF ROSES 

OR LILY OF THE VALLEY, I WANT A PERFUME THAT IS COMPOSED"

Gabrielle Chanel in Pierre Galante with the collaboration of Philippe Orsini, Les annees Chanel, 

Paris, Mercure de France, 1972, p.95-96

And so last week, I went to Paris with Carol to go see the exhibition all about Chanel and her inspirations behind the creation of No. 5 - the best selling perfume in the world!

Paris is a great city and what better place to hold this fabulous exhibition.  We didn't know what to expect and we were really pleased that the ambience of the exhibition was just how you would imagine Gabrielle would have designed it.

Firstly, we had our own private entrance with free admission; we were given a ticket and a exhibition catalogue completely free as a gift to remember the show; as we went in, it was minimalist, all in white, very simple design.

Using the audio guide we went round looking at all the artefacts they had gathered, the obvious like the original bottles, adverts and photographs of their time.  But the not so obvious too; about how she mixed in artistic circles, she was very good friends with Salvador Dali and she associated herself with the Dada movement in Paris.

After the first part, you could then spend time looking at books they had selected that associate themselves with five of the key ingredients that went into the scent.

I personally loved seeing all the old photos from the 1920's and 30's, and some of her personal items.  It looks like Paris was a fun and inspirational place to be at that time.  One of the treats we got to experience, and only to guests of this exhibition could, was to a secret recording of Marilyn Monroe who famously said that No.5 was all she wore in bed - the recording is her talking to someone about how she sleeps naked but didn't want to say that to the Press, so she told the truth that she sprays No.5!

"IN ORDER TO BE IRREPLACEABLE,

ONE MUST ALWAYS BE DIFFERENT"

Gabrielle Chanel in Marcel Haedrich, Coco Chanel, Paris, P. Belfond, 1987, p.176

The exhibition continues in Paris until the 5th June 2013

My Personal Style Rules

Image from Style Statement

A couple of weeks ago I was asked the question "what's your style?" and I garbled something back that a little while later I thought "that's not my style!!?".

It made me realise that I don't give much thought to what is actually "My Style".

In this month's Glamour magazine, Jo Elvin's Editor's letter is simply that, trying to explain what her style is....just like her I don't have one particular style.  I'm sure my friends would perhaps box me into one style or another; but I do get bored quickly and if I see something else that I like then I can randomly take off in another direction.  But there are a few things that regardless of what's in fashion or on my radar I generally stick to, so here are my personal style rules that I live by:

Make sure it fits
I don't care what size the garment is, it has to fit right.  Not too big and definetly not too tight.  If a larger size upsets you, just as long as you know you are going to keep the garment and not return in - cut the size label out!


If you like it, buy more of them
This can apply to a whole host of things.  If I love a fit of a t-shirt, then I'm likely to buy it in several colours.  Or I will buy exactly the same thing again - I've done this recently with a pair of plain black stilettos; I'm on my second pair and currently considering buying a third to keep in the cupboard for when the heels are worn out.


Jacket, shoes and handbags
For the most part, this is what we look at most when we look at other women.  So I like to make sure my jackets, shoes and handbags are a little bit different; a statement piece - not necessary all three at the same time, but at least one of them.  It's always a conversation starter!


Dare to be different
We are all living to a budget and therefore we tend to shop in the same shops as our friends.  This runs a high risk of duplication!  Every now and then I shop somewhere completely new; a small boutique, a vintage market or a concession in department store that I've have never heard the name of - it's great to own a few things that you know no one else may have.


Dress up or dress down?
For the most part, I don't care what the dress code is - I dress in what I want to wear; so if that means a LBD to the cinema or if I want to wear my evening faux fur with jeans to Hampton Court then so be it! (I've done both of these).  I love dressing up and enjoy the time it takes, but other times I just need to be on the go and my clothes need to be too!


Family Jewellery
It's not until my mid-thirties that I've started to appreciate old jewellery.  Now those old family heirlooms are a little more interesting to me now.  I love wearing a brooch with a jacket or an old family ring that has history.  They need to be treasured but they also need to be worn and not kept in the cupboard!


Jeans
A staple garment for me - I will not go anywhere without a pair.  Once you find a style you love.....buy more of them!

Beach Essentials: Swimwear

I have this feeling we are in for a great hot summer, and I don't know about you, but when the sun is shining I love to head to the beach!  Beach time shouldn't be for that one or two weeks on holiday each year.  

With beach wear you can have a lot of fun with colours and relax in causal-wear on days like these. Forget the office, forget the daily routine when that sun hits you want to be beach ready to have lots of good old fashion fun!

So before buying anything you need to know what swimwear you will be choosing to wear this season, all your accessories, bags, flip flops etc will be built around this - so it might be wise if you select a style that has a swimsuit, tankini and bikini so you can mix and match.

I was in River Island this week, and they have a fabulous range called Pacha - these styles are head-turning!  Here are a couple of my favourites:

BLACK PACHA FOIL PRINT
Bikini Top £16.00 and bottoms £12.00
(This style is available in other colours)

PURPLE PACHA HALTER BIKINI
Bikini Top £22.00 and bottoms £14.00

Here are a couple i've been admiring in this month's edition of Glamour!

GODDESS SWIMWEAR IN SAFARI
Starts from £18 to £70
Why not check this out from Biba, one of my all-time favourite brands, also available as a full swimsuit.

The bikini I was looking at from Ted Baker looks to have sold out, but they have the full swimsuit which looks just as great

MARRA - Treasured orchid swimsuit
£69

10 ways to wear your scarf

One of the best and affordable ways to keep your look updated is investing scarves.

But do you get bored of wearing them the same way?  Why not check out some films on YouTube to get some inspiration on wearing them an alternative way.

This is a great one from Mint Velvet TV, I quite like No. 3 The polo wrap a great one to use with a denim jacket or a fitted suit jacket.  No. 5 The Twist looks great as does No.9 The limitless.

On some devices you may not see the film below, so click here to watch it direct on YouTube.

Primark and Supermarket clothing brands have a vast range of different coloured scarves that you can easily update your wardrobe with.  Depending on the material and colours you choose, you can also use them as pashmina's on a evening out, especially on those cool summer nights.

If you have a little more money to invest, then why not check out the following:


Seasonal long logo scarf from Biba, available in a variety of colours
House of Fraser
£65

Biba - House of Fraser

Butterfly Print Scarf
Warehouse
£22

Warehouse

Gorgeous Coral scarf, perfect for those who's colour seasons are Autumn or Spring
Wallis
£16

Wallis

Don't forget, try to wear them a different way....


For those reading this by e-mail, you may have to click here to view the film.

It's finally here! So girls we need to get ready...

Image from Fashion Review

Yes, we've had at least two consecutive days of blue sky - how exciting!  Love the sunshine, love the longer days but there is a little price to pay now that we can play!

We can't keep hiding behind our thick tights, jeans or PJ's, we can't avoid that in a few weeks time we may be lying on a beach or pool side with all our body on show....so it's time to get ready for the summer sun!

A little maintenance every day, and within a few weeks you'll be ready to hit that boardwalk!

Here's my top tips:

1. Pluck it, shave it or wax it - I don't really need to say anymore than that!
2. Exfoliate and I mean more than just your face.  Your skin has been hidden for the last few months, so unless you've been a beauty goddess and you've kept up with a morning and night routine throughout winter, you need to get exfoliating
3. Oils and lotions - there are so many to choose from, work out what suits you and fits in easy to your busy schedule.  I quite like using baby oil in the shower as it leaves your skin feeling soft without being sticky.
4. Pedicures - if your getting your feet out - you need to keep on top of this!  Start the season off with a professional one, and then maintain weekly yourself.  Treat yourself to another one just before you go on holiday!
5. Getting fit!  I don't know about you, but with all this extra rain and snow I've not been great at getting out & about as much....start to build in a weekly plan of walking, cycling, swimming, Zumba etc and you'll get there by your hols.
6. Portion control.  Yes I mean food.  Avoid snacking and start thinking of all those different healthy summer foods you spoil yourself with.

It won't be here for long, so make every day count!

If your a new reader to my blog, or you liked some of the posts from last summer on how to get ready then these tips still count:
Summer time essentials
A little bit of sunshine! 


Got some great tips your wish to share, then leave a comment!

A step forward with brogues?

I'm not sure.

I'm keen to find a flat shoe that is not a converse pump or a leather ballet shoe.  The need is to wear them with my skinny's, so I'm currently looking at brogues.

Fashionable last year, the trend is still hitting the stores in a variety of colours - but are they feminine? I'm not into the mannish look or for that matter...practical.  It's a trend I'm unsure about and would love to know your thoughts?

Here are a few I'm checking out:

Hamble Oak in Nude 
Clarks
£54.99

Rocha - Debenhams
Designer Cream Lace Trimmed Brogues
Was £35, now £28

Or should I go for black??

Here's ASOS with MARKY Leather Brogues

£35

So if you have a pair that you love, get in touch, would love to know what you think about them and the colour you've opted for.  If like me your unsure, what's holding you back?

For those of you reading this off e-mail, simply click here to leave a comment.